Check-processing device with single image camera
An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents includes a base unit including an input slot for receiving a document to be processed. A transport stage located within the base unit receives the document from the input slot. The transport stage includes a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a one-way gate located along the document track after the processing device. The document track includes a second, return path extending from a location at the one-way gate to a location before the processing device. A bi-directional drive mechanism receives the document as the document passes through the one-way gate in the forward direction. The bi-directional drive mechanism then reverses direction to drive the document in the reverse direction. The one-way gate is arranged to divert the document traveling in the reverse direction into the second, return path and re-introduce the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation.
1. An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents, the apparatus comprising:
a compact, desktop document processor base unit including an input slot for receiving a document to be processed;
a transport stage located within the base unit and receiving the document from the input slot, the transport stage including a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a one-way gate located along the document track after the processing device;
the document track including a second, return path extending from a location at the one-way gate to a location before the processing device; and
a bi-directional drive mechanism for receiving the document as the document passes through the one-way gate in the forward direction, the bi-directional drive mechanism then reversing direction to drive the document in the reverse direction, the one-way gate being arranged to divert the document traveling in the reverse direction into the second, return path and re-introduce the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bidirectional drive mechanism.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processing device is an image camera, thereby allowing the image camera to image a first side of the document as the document passes the image camera in a forward orientation, and to image a second side of the document as the document passes the image camera in the reverse orientation.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track, wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processing device is a printing mechanism, thereby allowing the printing mechanism to print on a first side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in a forward orientation, and to print on a second side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in the reverse orientation.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track, wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processing device is an image camera, thereby allowing the image camera to image a first side of the document as the document passes the image camera in a forward orientation, and to image a second side of the document as the document passes the image camera in the reverse orientation; and
wherein the transport stage further comprises a printing mechanism, thereby allowing the printing mechanism to print on a first side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in a forward orientation, and to print on a second side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in the reverse orientation.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track, wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.
10. An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents, the apparatus comprising:
a feeder stage for receiving a document to be processed;
a transport stage receiving the document from the feeder stage, the transport stage including a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a one-way gate located along the document track after the processing device;
the document track including a second, return path extending from a location at the one-way gate to a location before the processing device; and
a bi-directional drive mechanism for receiving the document as the document passes through the one-way gate in the forward direction, the bi-directional drive mechanism then reversing direction to drive the document in the reverse direction, the one-way gate being arranged to divert the document traveling in the reverse direction into the second, return path and re-introduce the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the processing device is an image camera, thereby allowing the image camera to image a first side of the document as the document passes the image camera in a forward orientation, and to image a second side of the document as the document passes the image camera in the reverse orientation.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track, wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 the processing device is a printing mechanism, thereby allowing the printing mechanism to print on a first side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in a forward orientation, and to print on a second side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in the reverse orientation.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track, wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the processing device is an image camera, thereby allowing the image camera to image a first side of the document as the document passes the image camera in a forward orientation, and to image a second side of the document as the document passes the image camera in the reverse orientation; and
wherein the transport stage further comprises a printing mechanism, thereby allowing the printing mechanism to print on a first side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in a forward orientation, and to print on a second side of the document as the document passes the printing mechanism in the reverse orientation.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the transport stage further comprises:
a pair of drive rollers and associated idler rollers which cooperate to form the document track, wherein one of the drive rollers forms the bi-directional drive mechanism.